A circuit court judge has vacated the results of the city of Tuscaloosa’s District 7 City Council results, clearing the path for a special election to determine who will hold this seat.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Robert S. Vance issued his decision Thursday, less than a week after final summary judgment arguments were submitted by attorneys for incumbent Councilor Sonya McKinstry and political newcomer Cassius Lanier, who won by 28 votes.
Days after her defeat, McKinstry filed a legal challenge to the election citing Lanier’s legal eligibility to hold the office based on his prior felony convictions and asked the court to name her the winner.